Building New Dreams

"Dreamer (formerly Ballerina)," 9" x 12", acrylics on a museum quality panel, depicting a pretty filly playing in an imaginary space. She's looking for a new home - $599 includes s&h to any US doorway. As always, inquires may always come directly to me. Oh, and in process pics are here.

I've been looking at a lot of art lately (that might be a separate blog post!), measuring it against my inner vision (notice I didn't say measuring it against my work!! that is a no-no!!), and figuring out where I want to go with my work (because yes, I do get bored painting the same thing the same way, day after day).

I have plans right now for two workshops this spring (focused on expressive, ambiguous, and loose mark making) and am currently deep inside two others (examining joy and acceptance). Plus I have compositions that have been in my head since December's still life workshop with Vianna Szabo (continuing my love affair with light and color). Continued learning is a bit part of advocating for my own growth, and so far this year I am doing a much better job of juggling this with other commitments.

So here's my lesson today - do you remember her from before? Well, in the midst of a giant AH-HA moment this weekend, I realized that the contrast was quite theatrical, but that it didn't serve her. So I eliminated it, and played instead with the background, mirroring her color, adding some of my favorite symbols and patterns from my journal, and then I stopped.

I don't have a clear vision of what to do next, so I put my brushes down. Sure, I could continue to push her edges and have them dissolve entirely, or I could bring the pattern up to compete with her form, but since I can't visualize either of those choices clearly, I'm going to hold off.

Besides, right now, that background serves her very well. Very well indeed.

And now I plan to enjoy her. Maybe you would like to enjoy her too? She is for sale.....

Up next is a commissioned portrait. I'll have to play by the rules with that one! hee hee!!

Thanks, as always, for following along with my artwork!
Warmly, Kim

ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com

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Tabby Kit

"Tabby Kit," 5" x 7", acrylics on a museum quality panel, depicting a tiny little orange striped guy from Morgue File . This painting can be yours for $289, which includes s&h inside the US. And in case you didn't see it, a little doodle of him is also available for sale here . Inquires may come directly to me . Although it certainly doesn't FEEL like spring here (snow and ice and wind chills, brr!), I can tell that spring is coming. The mercury is rising a wee bit each day and the days are getting longer and brighter. Over the weekend we drove with the moonroof open just to feel the sun's meager and oh-so-very-welcome warmth (although the heat in the car was cranked, too, in the interest of full disclosure!). I wanted to work with spring-like colors today, and this little guy was still on my mind , so I grabbed a small panel and got to work. Of course, I also have Poppy to finish and some changes to make to another po

“Rapt (Shadow),” from the Larger than Life series, 16”x22”, acrylic black lab mixed breed pet portrait on gallery wrapped canvas, $699. Inquiries to ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com . SOLD. This is Shadow, who went missing on Sunday night. He belongs to a friend of mine, and has been a fixture in our community for many years. Errant fireworks scared the silly old guy into running off, and his family is busy searching for him. (If you happen to be in the Lake Orion/Oakland County area and have seen Shadow, please call 248-391-0867 or 248-391-6817) I’m confidant that he is safe (somewhere!) and awaiting discovery, but meanwhile, couldn’t help myself from posting his portrait as today’s dog a day painting . He’s constantly on my mind, and probably will remain so, until he finds his way back home. Hug your four legged guys while you can! Thanks, as always, for looking. And for sharing these paintings with friends and family, Kim Kimberly Kelly Santini http://www.turtledovedesigns.com/ dis

NEW! Etsy Store

One of my favorite unsold paintings from 2008, "Lashes & Corkscrews," 5" x 8", acrylic on canvasboard, depicting a tobiano buckskin curly horse, $289. Inquiries to ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com (but read further on how you can get a special deal on this painting!). Now it's ridiculously easy to browse my painting archives. All you have to do is visit my Etsy store . Etsy has a Shopping Cart (so you can pile it high with purchases from a variety of artists), is integrated with Paypal (although you may still pay by check if you prefer to), and is terribly simple to navigate. When the week has ended, I will have listed almost 100 of my favorite (UNSOLD!) paintings here, grouped loosely by subject matter. During 2009 I'll update the shop regularly, and add non-Dog-a-Day pieces as a bonus, thus making it easy to search for that perfect gift. Watch my daily postings for announcements, promotions and discount codes. If you do not receive the Dog-a-Day emails (

Paintings With Soul

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